Human Growth and Development Flashcards

This includes both physical and emotional changes. Growth is physical changes (height, weight). Development is learning skills (walking, talking). Both affect a resident’s ability to care for themselves.

Human growth is defined as physical changes in the body over time. You measure these to track a resident’s physical status.

Human development is defined as social, emotional, and cognitive changes over time. You assess these to determine how much assistance a resident needs.

This term applies from birth to one month of age.

Weight gain, head control, and rolling over are key physical changes in infancy. These milestones show healthy development and allow infants to begin exploring their surroundings and interacting with others.

Your role is to ensure a safe environment for these new movements.

The primary cognitive skill in infancy is Sensory Exploration. Babies learn everything by using their senses—touch, taste, sight, and sound.

Your role is to provide a safe, stimulating environment and ensure small objects are kept away from the mouth.

Infants communicate their needs primarily by crying. Crying is their main way to tell caregivers they are hungry, tired, or uncomfortable.

Your role is to quickly and patiently interpret the cry and respond to their needs.

The stage that follows infancy is Toddlerhood (ages 1-3 years). This is a time when the child is extremely busy learning about their world through walking and exploring.

Your role is to ensure a safe, child-proof environment for their active exploration.

The primary task is learning independence and basic skills like walking, talking, and self-feeding.

Your role is to encourage their independence while ensuring their safety.

Toddlers express frustration through temper tantrums. They struggle with emotional regulation, so your role is to remain calm and ensure their safety during these outbursts.

Toddlers reach the milestone of forming secure attachments to caregivers. This secure bond is vital for their emotional stability later in life.

Learning and cognitive skills continue to develop throughout the entire lifespan, though processing speed may slow. Dementia is a disease, not normal aging.

Preschoolers learn best through play and hands-on experiences. Both structured and unstructured play are crucial for developing social and problem-solving skills.

Two common fears are the dark and imaginary creatures. Their developing imagination contributes to these fears, so they need comfort and reassurance.

Imaginary play is a key feature of the Preschool age (3-5 years).

Example: A child pretending a box is a spaceship. This play is vital for developing creativity and social skills.

A major milestone is rapid language development.

Example: Moving from “Me go” to “I want to go outside now.” This helps them communicate their needs more clearly.

Two characteristics are improved motor coordination and developing friendships.

Example: Learning to ride a bike or joining a sports team. They become more independent and engage in structured activities.

They develop social skills by forming friendships and group affiliations.

Example: Learning to share and follow rules while playing a board game. They learn teamwork and emotional regulation.

Puberty is the period when a person develops the physical characteristics of an adult.

Example: Girls developing breasts; boys’ voices deepening. It requires support and privacy during this time of rapid change.

Adolescents begin to think abstractly and form deeper relationships.

Example: Debating complex issues like climate change or forming a strong personal identity.